Local Woman Able to Make Good Living Off Of Mushroom-Growing Operation

Published July 21st, 2011

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She was known as the "mushroom lady", but it wasn't for her vegetable-filled salads.

Alachua County detectives say a local woman was able to make a very good living selling illegal mushrooms since at least 2004.

Keila Smith of Alachua was arrested last night after sheriff's deputies raided her home and found an organized, mushroom-growing operation.

Among the items seized were five thousand dollars worth of packaged mushrooms contained in individual plastic bags and two thousand small jars filled with the raw ingredients.

While they haven't been able to estimate how much Smith made from her business, officials say she made enough to own a home, buy an Infiniti, and draw up a bucket list that included a tummy tuck as one of her wish list items.

Officials are looking into whether Smith had partners in her business.

She is currently being held in the Alachua County jail, charged with sale and possession of a controlled substance. Future charges are pending as the investigation continues.